Biotage Extrahera LV-200 - User Manual

Significance of the Topic

• Automation of sample preparation is a key driver in analytical chemistry for improving throughput, reproducibility and safety.
• The Biotage Extrahera LV-200 system addresses diverse workflows such as supported liquid extraction (SLE), solid-phase extraction (SPE), protein precipitation (PPT), phospholipid depletion (PLD), in situ hydrolysis (Hydro DME+), and dual‐flow extraction (DFE), all in 96-position formats.

Objectives and Study Overview

• Introduce and characterize the capabilities of the Extrahera LV-200 for end-to-end automated sample preparation.
• Outline system architecture, user interface, method setup, consumable handling and maintenance.
• Demonstrate how the system supports GLP-compliant workflows with audit trails and user roles.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• The core instrument is the Biotage Extrahera LV-200 automated sample preparation system.
• Liquid handling module with five solvent inlets feeding 25 mL disposable reservoirs, replenished at run start and periodically during operation.
• Disposable pipette tips (50 µL, 200 µL, 1 mL) for solvent, sample and post-treatment operations.
• Pressure unit supporting gas-driven SPE and SLE with adjustable pressure up to 6 bar and flow-through drying at 600 mL/min.
• Carousel with four plate positions (three collection plates, one flow-through waste plate) raised by a lifter for splash-free dispensing.
• Dedicated pipette rack position for 96 DFE column tips; optional trays for sample and solvent tips.
• Software interface with touch screen, barcode/QR scanner option, visual and audible alarms, and optional GLP features including audit trail, user roles, network connectivity and remote viewing.

Key Results and Discussion

• System supports parallel processing of up to 96 samples per run in a variety of extraction modes.
• Smart Sample Loading ensures reliable aspiration just below liquid surface, minimizing air uptake and maximizing tip re-use.
• Advanced pressure gradients can be programmed for conditioning, equilibration, loading, washing and elution steps to tailor flow rates and residence times.
• Optional dual-flow extraction mode eliminates use of the pressure unit, handling sample and solvent flows through specialized DFE column tips in up to nine solvents.
• Routine maintenance tasks are guided through software: solvent pump flushing, waste line cleaning, pipette pump calibration, and filter replacement.
• GLP license adds data security, method locking, report export controls and electronic signatures, meeting regulatory requirements.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• High-throughput preparation of biofluids, environmental extracts and complex matrices with minimal operator intervention.
• Reduced variability through standardized tip conditioning, air gaps, and mixing protocols.
• Flexible solvent management including manual or automated loading of up to ten different solvents per run.
• Enhanced sample safety via ventilated enclosure, audible/visual alarms and barrier plates to avoid cross-contamination.
• Scalable across academic research, pharmaceutical QC/QA, forensic toxicology and food safety testing labs.

Future Trends and Opportunities

• Integration with upstream barcoding and LIMS for fully traceable sample workflows.
• Enhanced remote monitoring and AI-driven method optimization for predictive maintenance and dynamic protocol adjustments.
• Expansion of consumable formats to micro-volumes for metabolomics, proteomics and microsampling studies.
• Cloud-based data analytics to benchmark performance across multiple instruments and sites.

Conclusion

The Biotage Extrahera LV-200 offers a comprehensive solution for automated sample preparation, combining versatile extraction chemistries, precise liquid handling, flexible pressure control and GLP-capable software to streamline workflows and ensure data integrity. Its modular design and method customization empower laboratories to meet high-throughput demands while maintaining compliance and reproducibility.

Used Instrumentation

• Biotage Extrahera LV-200 automated sample preparation system
• Solvent pump manifold and 25 mL disposable reservoirs
• Disposable pipette tip modules (50 µL, 200 µL, 1 mL)
• Pressure unit with gas regulation (up to 6 bar, ISO 8573-1 compliance)
• DFE tip rack and carousel lifter assembly
• Integrated touch-screen control and optional GLP software package